US20160198647A1 - Power saving control apparatus for regular sprinklers and the method for operating the same - Google Patents

Abstract

A power saving control apparatus for at least one regular sprinkler includes a wireless controller, at least one regular sprinkler and a first wireless communication module provided for bilaterally transmitting signals between the wireless controller and the at least one regular sprinkler for controlling the operating timing of the at least one regular sprinkler, wherein the first wireless communication module is a ZigBee module, the at least one regular sprinkler including a micro-control unit and a self tester disposed therein, when the self tester detecting an unusual operation in the at least one regular sprinkler, the self tester sends an unusual signal to the micro-control unit and wirelessly transmitted to the wireless controller by the first wireless communication module for informing the operator.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED U.S. APPLICATIONS
• Not applicable.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
• Not applicable.
NAMES OF PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT
• Not applicable.
REFERENCE TO AN APPENDIX SUBMITTED ON COMPACT DISC
• Not applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• 1. Field of the Invention
• The present invention relates to a control apparatus, and more particularly to a power saving control apparatus for regular sprinklers and the method for operating the same.
• 2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 37 CFR 1.98.
• A tube for transporting liquid usually includes a control valve for controlling the transporting time or the flow. The conventional control valve is manual controlled such that there are many factors causing a usual operation, for example forgetting to operate the control valve in time. Consequently, a time switch is provided on the tube for automatically controlling the transporting time of the tube or the flow in the tube.
• The conventional time switch can automatically operate the tube in preset time. For example, the time switch can be combined with a sprinkler to make the conventional sprinkler having a function of regular operation. For use in gardening, multiple sprinklers are necessary. It is hard to adjust the operation time of the sprinklers because the operator needs to adjust sprinklers one after one.
• Consequently, a WiFi module is used as a medium for controlling multiple sprinklers at once. However, the WiFi module has some disadvantages that need to be advantageously altered. The WiFi module has a low security and a low wireless stability. In addition, the wirelessly controlling distance is limited. Furthermore, the WiFi module continually consumes power and the sprinkler cannot contain a great battery therein due to the structure thereof. As a result, the battery in the sprinkler needs to be often changed.
• The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the disadvantages of the conventional sprinklers.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• The main objective of the present invention is to provide an improved power saving control apparatus for regular sprinklers and the method for operating the same.
• To achieve the objective, the power saving control apparatus in accordance with the present invention comprises a wireless controller, at least one regular sprinkler and a first wireless communication module provided for bilaterally transmitting signals between the wireless controller and the at least one regular sprinkler for controlling the operating timing of the at least one regular sprinkler, wherein the first wireless communication module is a ZigBee module. The at least one regular sprinkler includes a micro-control unit and a self tester disposed therein. When the self tester detecting an unusual operation in the at least one regular sprinkler, the self tester sends an unusual signal to the micro-control unit and wirelessly transmitted to the wireless controller by the first wireless communication module for informing the operator.
• The operating method the control apparatus in accordance with the present invention includes the steps of: encoding and installation: encoding the at least one regular sprinkler, the encoding data and the controlling parameters of the at least one regular sprinkler installed into a micro-control unit in the wireless controller by a first input module on the wireless controller; transmitting the controlling parameters: the wireless controller transmitting the controlling parameters to the at least one regular sprinkler by using a first wireless communication module for repeatedly operating the at least one regular sprinkler, wherein the first wireless communication module is a ZigBee module; and anomaly detecting: the at least one regular sprinkler does not detecting no water current when operating a sprinkling order or the at least one regular sprinkler detecting a water current when operating a closing order, the at least one regular sprinkler transmitting an unusual signal to the wireless controller by the first wireless communication module for warning the operator.
• The control apparatus and the operating method in accordance with the present invention include the following advantages. First, the ZigBee module is power saving relative to the WiFi module because the WiFi module continually consume power. As a result, the use life of the power supply module in each of the regular sprinklers is lengthened. Second, the ZigBee module provided between the wireless controller and the regular sprinklers can be connected to more regular sprinklers than a WiFi module connected.
• Further benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after a careful reading of the detailed description with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a control path of a power saving control apparatus for a regular sprinkler in accordance with the present invention.
• FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a wireless controller of the control apparatus inFIG. 1.
• FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a regular sprinkler of the control apparatus inFIG. 1.
• FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a control path of a second embodiment of the power saving control apparatus in accordance with the present invention.
• FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the regular sprinkler inFIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
• Referring to the drawings and initially toFIGS. 1-3 and 5, a power saving control apparatus for regular sprinklers in accordance with the present invention uses awireless controller30 to provide a wirelessly bilateral transmitting method for remotely controlling at least oneregular sprinkler40. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the wireless controller is provided to control multipleregular sprinklers40. The power saving control apparatus comprises awireless controller30 for remotely controlling at least oneregular sprinkler40. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, thewireless controller30 remotely controls multipleregular sprinklers40 at the same time, as shown inFIG. 1. A firstwireless communication module70 is disposed among thewireless controller30 and theregular sprinklers40 for bilaterally transmitting signals for synchronously controlling theregular sprinklers40. For achieving the purpose of remotely control, the control apparatus in accordance with the present invention comprises adigital terminal10 and aintranet router20, wherein a secondwireless communication module60 is disposed between theintranet router20 and thewireless controller30 for bilaterally transmitting signals, and a thirdwireless communication module50 is disposed between theintranet router20 and thedigital terminal10 for bilaterally transmitting signals. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the firstwireless communication module70 is a ZigBee module, the secondwireless communication module60 is a WiFi module and the thirdwireless communication module50 is a WiFi module. Thedigital terminal10 is a smart phone, a computer or the like.
• Thewireless controller30 includes amicro-control unit31 disposed therein, adisplayer32 electrically connected to themicro-control unit31, a firstwireless transceiver33 electrically connected to themicro-control unit31, a secondwireless transceiver34 electrically connected to themicro-control unit31 and apower supply module35, wherein thepower supply module35 is electrically connected to themicro-control unit31, the firstwireless transceiver33 and the secondwireless transceiver34 for providing power to thewireless controller30 during being operated. Afirst input module36 is disposed on thedisplayer32 for operator to troubleshoot and set functions. The firstwireless transceiver33 transmits the signals, receiving from theregular sprinkler40, to themicro-control unit31 and transmits the signals, receiving from themicro-control unit31, to theregular sprinkler40. The secondwireless transceiver34 transmits signals, receiving from theintranet router20, to themicro-control unit31, and transmits signals, receiving from themicro-control unit31, to theintranet router20. The firstwireless transceiver33 is provided for transceiving ZigBee signals and the secondwireless transceiver34 is provided for transceiving WiFi signals.
• Eachregular sprinkler40 includes amicro-control unit41 disposed therein and adisplayer42 electrically connected to themicro-control unit41 for displaying various operating order or adjusting messages. Asecond input module43 is electrically connected to themicro-control unit41 for correcting operating order, changing installation or troubleshooting. Awireless transceiver44 is electrically connected to themicro-control unit41. Thewireless transceiver44 transmits signals, receiving from the firstwireless transceiver33, to themicro-control unit41 and transmits signals, receiving from themicro-control unit41, to the firstwireless transceiver33, and the firstwireless transceiver33 transmits the signals, receiving from thewireless transceiver44, to themicro-control unit31. Asolenoid drive circuit45 is electrically connected to themicro-control unit41 and asolenoid46 is electrically connected to thesolenoid drive circuit45, wherein thesolenoid46 is adapted to be connected to an extra water source (not shown). Thesolenoid46 opens the water path (not shown) in theregular sprinkler40 for starting sprinkling when themicro-control unit41 sends an operating signal to thesolenoid46 via thesolenoid drive circuit46. Apower supply module47 is respectively and electrically connected to thewireless transceiver44, themicro-control unit41 and thesolenoid drive circuit45 for providing the power when theregular sprinkler40 is operated. Theregular sprinkler40 further includes aself tester48, a humidity/temp sensor49 and aflowmeter401 respectively disposed therein, wherein theself tester48 is electrically connected to themicro-control unit41 and thesolenoid46, the humidity/temp sensor49 is electrically connected to themicro-control unit41, and theflowmeter401 is respectively electrically connected to theself tester48 and thesolenoid46.
• The operating method of the power saving control apparatus for regular sprinklers in accordance with the present invention is described as follow. Firstly, eachregular sprinkler40 is encoded and the encoding information is installed into themicro-control unit31 of thewireless controller30 via thefirst input module36. The operating details of each of the multipleregular sprinklers40 are respectively to eachregular sprinkler40 by using thefirst wireless transceiver33 via the firstwireless communication module70. After thewireless transceiver44 of each of theregular sprinklers40 receiving the operating details from thefirst wireless transceiver33, thewireless transceiver44 transmits the received operating details to themicro-control unit41, immediately. Consequently, eachregular sprinkler40 automatically sprinkles water according to the received operating details.
• In addition, the humidity/temp data from the humidity/temp sensor49 of theregular sprinkler40 is sequentially transmitted to thefirst wireless transceiver33 and thewireless controller30 by using thewireless transceiver44 via the firstwireless communication module70 such that the operator can stochastically modify the operating order according to the received humidity/temp data. Theregular sprinkler40 automatically operates thesolenoid46 and sprinkles water when theregular sprinkler40 receives no new operating order after transmitting the humidity/temp data for a period of time.
• Theflowmeter401 of each of theregular sprinkler40 operate theself tester48 to delivery an unusual signal to themicro-control unit41 of theregular sprinkler40, themicro-control unit41 operates thewireless transceiver44 to send the unusual signal to thefirst wireless transceiver33 via the firstwireless communication module70 and themicro-control unit31 shows the unusual signal on thedisplayer32 when themicro-control unit41 sends a start order to thesolenoid46 and theflowmeter401 in the unusualregular sprinkler40 senses no water passing through. Consequently, the operator can immediately find the unusualregular sprinkler40 and troubleshoot because everyregular sprinkler40 is previously encoded. Theflowmeter401 sends an unusual signal to thewireless controller30 according to the transmitting mode, as described above, and the unusual signal is shown on thedisplayer32 when theflowmeter401 in the unusualregular sprinkler40 continually senses the water current passing through a path in the unusualregular sprinkler40 and the preset operating time is up.
• According to the operating method as described above cannot provide a wide range of distance operation such that the operator must visit the site where thewireless controller30 is disposed. For providing a convenient remotely operation, the secondwireless communication module60 is used for bilaterally transmitting signals between theintranet router20 and thewireless controller30. In addition, the thirdwireless communication module50 is provided for bilaterally transmitting signals between theintranet router20 and thedigital terminal10. In this operating mode, thewireless controller30 is only used as a medium for bilaterally transmitting signals and all the operating order is sent from thedigital terminal10. Theintranet router20 and thewireless controller30 are sequentially used for transmitting operating order to theregular sprinklers40 via the thirdwireless communication module50, the secondwireless communication module60 and the firstwireless communication module70 for wireless modifying the operating parameters of theregular sprinklers40 and troubleshooting for theregular sprinklers40.
• In the operating method as described above, the thirdwireless communication module50 is disposed between thedigital terminal10 for bilaterally transmitting signals such that the wireless controlling distance is limited. However, the operator inevitably has a journey during operating theregular sprinklers40 such that thedigital terminal10 cannot receive any signal from the intranet router. For solving the problem, with reference toFIG. 4, acloud module80 is provided between theintranet router20 and the thirdwireless communication module50. As a result, the operator can confirm the operating condition of each of theregular sprinklers40 by internet anytime and anywhere. In this operating mode, the operator can inform his/her partner to check the unusualregular sprinkler40 and troubleshooting by operating thewireless controller30 when receiving an unusual signal form the unusualregular sprinkler40. The troubleshooting processes are immediately transmitted to thedigital terminal10 by sequentially passing secondwireless communication module60, theintranet router20, thecloud module80 and the thirdwireless communication module50 such that the operator can remotely confirm the operating condition of each of theregular sprinklers40.
• The firstwireless communication module70 between thewireless controller30 and theregular sprinklers40 is a ZigBee module including following properties:
• • First, the ZigBee technology has a high security. The ZigBee technology has never cracked until now.
  • Second, the ZigBee technology has a design for power saving. Theoretically, a power saving battery has ten year life when providing to the ZigBee technology. Indeed, a power saving battery van be used for two years when providing to the ZigBee technology.
  • Third, theoretically, a ZigBee gateway can connect to 65,000 equipments. The conventional WiFi signal and bluetooth signal cannot comparable relative to the ZigBee module.
• As described above, the control apparatus and the operating method in accordance with the present invention include the following advantages.
• • First, the ZigBee module is power saving relative to the WiFi module because the WiFi module continually consume power. As a result, the use life of thepower supply module47 in each of theregular sprinklers40 is lengthened.
  • Second, the ZigBee module provided between thewireless controller30 and theregular sprinklers40 can be connected to more regular sprinklers than a WiFi module connected.
  • Third, by using theself tester48 in each of theregular sprinklers40 and thecloud module80, the operator can confirm the operating condition of each of theregular sprinklers40 by internet anytime and anywhere.
  • Fourth, the humidity/temp sensor49 can previously detect the temperature and the humidity of the operating environment of theregular sprinklers40 for operator to modify the controlling data of each of theregular sprinklers40 for effectively sprinkling water.
• Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

Claims (16)

I claim:

1. A power saving control apparatus for at least one regular sprinkler, comprising a wireless controller, at least one regular sprinkler and a first wireless communication module provided for bilaterally transmitting signals between the wireless controller and the at least one regular sprinkler for controlling the operating timing of the at least one regular sprinkler, wherein the first wireless communication module is a ZigBee module, the at least one regular sprinkler including a micro-control unit and a self tester disposed therein, when the self tester detecting an unusual operation in the at least one regular sprinkler, the self tester sends an unusual signal to the micro-control unit and wirelessly transmitted to the wireless controller by the first wireless communication module for informing the operator.

2. The control apparatus as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the wireless controller includes a micro-control unit disposed therein, a displayer electrically connected to the micro-control unit of the wireless controller, a first wireless transceiver electrically connected to the micro-control unit of the wireless controller and a power supply module, wherein the power supply module is electrically connected to the micro-control unit, the first wireless transceiver and the second wireless transceiver for providing power to the wireless controller during being operated, a first input module disposed on the displayer for operator to troubleshoot and set functions, wherein the first wireless transceiver transmits the signals, receiving from the regular sprinkler, to the micro-control unit and transmits the signals, receiving from the micro-control unit, to the regular sprinkler.

3. The control apparatus as claimed inclaim 2, wherein the at least one regular sprinkler includes a wireless transceiver electrically connected to the micro-control unit of the at least one regular sprinkler, the wireless transceiver transmitting signals, receiving from the first wireless transceiver, to the micro-control unit and transmitting signals, receiving from the micro-control unit, to the first wireless transceiver, and the first wireless transceiver transmitting the signals, receiving from the wireless transceiver, to the micro-control unit of the wireless controller, a solenoid drive circuit electrically connected to the micro-control unit of the at least one regular sprinkler and a solenoid electrically connected to the solenoid drive circuit, wherein the solenoid is adapted to be connected to an extra water source and the solenoid opens the water path in the at least one regular sprinkler for starting sprinkling when the micro-control unit sends an operating signal to the solenoid via the solenoid drive circuit, the at least one regular sprinkler including a flowmeter electrically connected to the solenoid and the self tester, and a power supply module respectively and electrically connected to the wireless transceiver, the micro-control unit of the at least one regular sprinkler and the solenoid drive circuit for providing the power when the regular sprinkler is operated.

4. The control apparatus as claimed inclaim 3, wherein the at least one regular sprinkler includes further includes a humidity/temp sensor disposed therein and electrically connected to the micro-control unit thereof for previously detecting the temperature and the humidity of the operating environment of the at least one regular sprinklers for operator to modify the controlling data of the at least one regular sprinklers for effectively sprinkling water.

5. The control apparatus as claimed inclaim 3, further comprising a intranet router and a digital terminal, and wherein the wireless controller further includes a second wireless transceiver electrically connected to the power supply module and the micro-control unit thereof, a second wireless communication module disposed between the intranet router and the second wireless transceiver for bilaterally transmitting signals, a third wireless communication module provided between the intranet router and the digital terminal for bilaterally transmitting signals, wherein the second wireless communication module is a WiFi module.

6. The control apparatus as claimed inclaim 4, further comprising a intranet router and a digital terminal, and wherein the wireless controller further includes a second wireless transceiver electrically connected to the power supply module and the micro-control unit thereof, a second wireless communication module disposed between the intranet router and the second wireless transceiver for bilaterally transmitting signals, a third wireless communication module provided between the intranet router and the digital terminal for bilaterally transmitting signals, wherein the second wireless communication module is a WiFi module.

7. The control apparatus as claimed inclaim 5, further comprising a cloud module disposed between the third wireless communication module and the intranet router for widening the remote controlling distance of the digital terminal.

8. The control apparatus as claimed inclaim 6, further comprising a cloud module disposed between the third wireless communication module and the intranet router for widening the remote controlling distance of the digital terminal.

9. The control apparatus as claimed inclaim 3, wherein the at least one regular sprinkler further includes a displayer electrically connected to the micro-control unit of the at least one regular sprinkler for displaying various operating order or adjusting messages, and a second input module electrically connected to the micro-control unit of the at least one regular sprinkler for correcting operating order, changing installation or troubleshooting.

10. The control apparatus as claimed inclaim 4, wherein the at least one regular sprinkler further includes a displayer electrically connected to the micro-control unit of the at least one regular sprinkler for displaying various operating order or adjusting messages, and a second input module electrically connected to the micro-control unit of the at least one regular sprinkler for correcting operating order, changing installation or troubleshooting.

11. An operating method of a power saving control apparatus for at least one regular sprinkler, which includes a wireless controller, at least one regular sprinkler and a first wireless communication module provided for bilaterally transmitting signals between the wireless controller and the at least one regular sprinkler for controlling the operating timing of the at least one regular sprinkler, the operating method comprising the steps of:

encoding and installation: encoding the at least one regular sprinkler, the encoding data and the controlling parameters of the at least one regular sprinkler installed into a micro-control unit in the wireless controller by a first input module on the wireless controller;

transmitting the controlling parameters: the wireless controller transmitting the controlling parameters to the at least one regular sprinkler by using a first wireless communication module for repeatedly operating the at least one regular sprinkler, wherein the first wireless communication module is a ZigBee module; and

anomaly detecting: the at least one regular sprinkler does not detecting no water current when operating a sprinkling order or the at least one regular sprinkler detecting a water current when operating a closing order, the at least one regular sprinkler transmitting an unusual signal to the wireless controller by the first wireless communication module for warning the operator.

12. The operating method as claimed inclaim 11, further using an intranet router and a digital terminal for achieving the purpose of remote operation, wherein a second wireless communication module is provided between the intranet router and the wireless controller for bilaterally transmitting signals, a third wireless communication module is provided between the intranet router and the digital terminal for bilaterally transmitting signals, and the second wireless communication module is a WiFi module.

13. The operating method as claimed inclaim 12, wherein a cloud module is provided between the third wireless communication module and the intranet router for lengthening the remote control distance.

14. The operating method as claimed inclaim 11, further comprising a step of detecting humidity and temperature, wherein the at least one regular sprinkler includes a humidity/temp sensor disposed therein, the humidity/temp data from the humidity/temp sensor of the at least one regular sprinkler sequentially transmitted to the wireless controller by using the first wireless communication module such that the operator can stochastically modify the operating order according to the received humidity/temp data.

15. The operating method as claimed inclaim 12, further comprising a step of detecting humidity and temperature, wherein the at least one regular sprinkler includes a humidity/temp sensor disposed therein, the humidity/temp data from the humidity/temp sensor of the at least one regular sprinkler sequentially transmitted to the wireless controller by using the first wireless communication module such that the operator can stochastically modify the operating order according to the received humidity/temp data.

16. The operating method as claimed inclaim 13, further comprising a step of detecting humidity and temperature, wherein the at least one regular sprinkler includes a humidity/temp sensor disposed therein, the humidity/temp data from the humidity/temp sensor of the at least one regular sprinkler sequentially transmitted to the wireless controller by using the first wireless communication module such that the operator can stochastically modify the operating order according to the received humidity/temp data.

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